A historic achievement in disarmament, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, will enter into force on 1 August 2010. The treaty provides a legal framework for ending cluster munitions’ unacceptable harm to civilians, many of whom live in developing countries. Thirty-seven states have so far ratified the convention, and 107 countries are signatories.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of these weapons. It calls for the destruction of stockpiles within eight years of accession, and clearance of contaminated land within 10 years. The convention also responds to the suffering of civilians with a series of specific, measurable and gender-sensitive victims’ assistance obligations. Read more

Statement by the Secretary-General on the entry-into-force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions 

The 4th National Human Development Report on employment and livelihoods was launched by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UNDP Resident Representative and H.E Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice Minister. Photo: UNDP Lao PDR/Phoutsavong Phatsouda

On 28 July 2010 the Government of Lao PDR (Department of Statistics) and UNDP released the National Human Development report on the theme of Employment and Livelihoods. The report provides a set of recommendations on how to improve the human development in Lao PDR through employment. This is the fourth in a series of national reports.

At the launch, Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, Resident Representative of the UNDP and Vice-Minister Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong both emphasized the importance of this report. “The theme of this report could not be more relevant or timely to the development of Lao PDR today. The Government is formulating the next National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011 to 2015 and central to the achievement of the economic and social targets set out in the Plan for the next 5 years will be the issue of labour”, said Ms Yangchen Rana in her opening remarks. Read more

Remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana

The UN Newsletter - Working for Lao PDR -  is published twice a year to highlight important and topical issues to the Lao PDR. 

In the latest issue, you can read more about:

• Lao PDR taking lead on the Convention on Cluster Munitions
• MDG 2: Fulfilling the right to education of every child
• MDG 5: Reducing maternal mortality
• MDG 7: Managing natural resources for environmental sustainability
• MDG 1: School meals for a brighter future
• MDG 3: Gender equality is good economics 

 

MPI and UNFPA prepare workshop and essay competition

More than 140 countries worldwide will observe World Population Day around 11 July by emphasizing the importance of data for development. In this regard, the Department of International Cooperation of the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, are preparing the first World Population Day Workshop to be held in Vientiane on July 23 at the International Cooperation and Training Center (ICTC). The event is addressed to university and college students, teachers, researchers, experts and wider public.

The workshop is an academic forum expected to promote the World Population Day and its 2010 theme: “Everyone Counts”. This year World Population Day highlights the importance of data for development. The focus is on the 2010 round of the population and housing census, data analysis for development and UNFPA’s lead role in population and development. Read more

Remarks_Remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana,UN Resident Coordinator

On July 7th the Government of Lao PDR organised a launching for the upcoming First States Parties Meeting (1MSP) of the Cluster Munitions Convention (CCM). The launch was an official start for the November meeting, which is so far the largest international meeting ever organised in Lao PDR. With this event, the Government and UNDP also officially launched the Cluster Munitions Trust Fund, to encourage strong support for the Convention and the 1MSP.  

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched its support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Planning and Investment in conducting a second Agricultural Census of Lao PDR. Investments in hydropower, mining and industrial crops and plantations have changed land use and reduced the land area and labour available for cultivation and other food production. These changes now need to be captured in another census."To effectively monitor the progress of development in the agricultural sector and to carry out its plans, the Government needs good statistics” says Mr. Serge Verniau, FAO Representative to Lao PDR. Read more

The recent G8 meeting in Muskoka, Canada, on the 25th and 26th June, immediately prior to the G20 gathering, concluded with the drafting of the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. The Group of 8 leaders made a commitment to accelerate efforts to improve maternal and child health. Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the G8 governments would commit US $5 billion over the next 5-years to the Muskoka Initiative, with an additional US $2.3 billion promised by non-G8 countries, donors and foundations.

In Lao PDR this is a welcome development. Maternal mortality in the country is high with 660 deaths per 100,000 live births (2005). This figure is the second highest in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition a recent analysis released by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the United Nations Millennium Campaign stated that antenatal coverage in Lao PDR is only 35%. Read more

Photo Essay: Achieving the MDGs in the Lao PDR

Photo: UNDP Lao PDR/Harish Murthi